The following is presented by John Andrade Insurance.

Water Seepage is defined in the homeowner’s policy as:  “water below the surface of the ground including water which exerts pressure on or seeps or leaks through a building, sidewalk, driveway or foundation, swimming pool or other structure.  This type of water damage is NOT covered by the homeowner’s policy and cannot be insured.

Water Damage to the interior of a dwelling or building by flow or leakage of water either by wind or direct rain is covered by special forms such as H03, DP3 and Special perils.

Flooding

Another form of water damage that is also NOT covered by the Homeowner’s Policy is damage from flood, surface water, waves, tidal water, overflow of a body of water or spray from any of these whether driven by wind.  This type of damage is most seen during hurricane conditions.  Flood Insurance can be purchased for the Building and/or Personal Property under a Flood Policy.

Other Water Damage

Water damage that IS COVERED by the Homeowner’s Policy is water that either damages the building or contents that overflowed or was discharged from a plumbing, heating or air conditioning system or from within a household appliance (i.e. Washing Machine, Dishwasher etc..)

Water Drainage/Sewer Backup can be purchased as an endorsement to your Homeowner Policy with sublimit of $2,500 to $10,000 and with some insurers $25,000.  If you have water issues in your basement that causes damage and depending on the severity of the damage, you can be covered with Water Sewer Backup Coverage or Flood Policy depending on how the damage was ultimately caused.

Jewelry, Art, Sculptures, Expensive Area Rugs

If you own or were gifted these types of items, you should have the items appraised and listed on your Homeowner Insurance Policy for coverage.  If these items are not listed (endorsed on your policy), you will not have coverage. A fire that destroyed some of these items would give you some coverage but even then, it would be very limited.

Home Systems and Service Line Coverages

This is another area that if not added, you would be on your own for the failure of a sewer, water or gas line on your property that failed.  Sump Pumps and Whole House Generators as well as Heating and Airconditioning units that service your home.

Cyber Liability

Fortunately, or Unfortunately, we are more connected and reliant on our computers and Smart TV’s for work and play.  The systems are more at risk than ever as well as the extortion being demanded to return to normalcy if you were hacked or infiltrated on any one of your home devices.

Personal Umbrella

Having assets beyond a million, enjoying a pool in the back yard, owning a boat and allowing your young adult children to drive your cars all present reasons to have Umbrella Coverage from $1,000,000 to as high as $5,000,000 are readily available and wise to pursue. This policy extends and broadens the Liability from your Auto, Home and Boat Policies. The volunteer work you do (Boards and Committees) may cause you to become liable for decisions you make or fail to make.

In summary, you bought a car or a home and paid the insurance premium required to be able drive away or to move in and satisfy the bank or mortgage company.  Your family grows, you acquire assets as you grow requires further review of your current insurance policies.  Many times, after being in the business for over 30 years now, we find customers purchase what is marketed by the insurer or what is presented online, and many times are paying higher premiums for inferior coverage.

Who does it benefit when you pay $1,500 for minimum liability limits of $25,000 when you could pay $1,600 for Liability limits of $250,000!  Now is the time to review your coverages before you have the unfortunate event that creates a learning experience that can be devastating for all you have accomplished to this point.

Click here to see how John Andrade Insurance can help you manage risk.